Art & Culture
Ishq ya Gunaah: A musical dance play at the Shimla Gaiety
SHIMLA- musical dance play made people contemplate on the real meaning of love and its acceptance in society. Often we sing song Masjab nai seekhta apas me bair kerna; but when it comes to practicality reactions are totally different.
Yesterday people of city got an opportunity to contemplate on the meaning of love via A musical Dance Play “Ishq ya Gunaah”; staged at the historic Gaiety Theatre, Shimla.
The play was organized by the Dream Makers Society and while informing about the it Director of play Ajay Sharma, said that the main objective of play was to raise a question in mind of society where social evils like caste system are still practiced. Originally show was to be staged on Feb 14, when the entire world celebrated the bond of love but unfortunately unavailability of the venue mad e them postpone the show.
The story was the play was like any typical inter-cast; here inter religion; love story. A Muslim boy falls in love with a Hindu girl who has lost her entire family in riots. Dishearten from her life the girl meets the young Muslim lad who gives her a new ray of hope. The communities refuse to accept their relation and try to kill them both.
Ten years pass and each one without being aware of other being alive; boy becomes a vegetable whereas girl fulfills his dream of orphanage. In end when girl comes to meet him after learning his being alive, his wait ends and he dies.
Considering the first attempt of direction by Ajay, it can be called a good production. It had all the elements that one would like to see in any heart touching love story. The lead actor did a commendable job. He not only memorized the poetry but even delivered it with full spirit. On the other hand the heroine too did a good job. The dance sequences added to the flavor of story.
For people who looked for sheer entertainment and not some serious theater it was a treat to watch and value for money. It did take people to a romantic dream world where falling in love is all magical. No doubt the end showed a malicious face of society where emotions take a back seat as compared to false egos. Play gave a message that love is not always about self interest but about the happiness of one u love with or without you.
Technically changing of scenes and set in fadeout could have been done little neatly. To take entry from the other wing heroine could have used the passage behind the set rather than walking on stage while rest everything else was settled. It gave an impression that a new scene has already begun which was not the case. Other than that situational songs were well chosen and dance sequences too were executed well but there is always room for improvement.
However for one of the spectator and a theater lover, “The lead performances were good only if the director knew what is Film and what is play? Playing filmi songs does not make a theatre narrative! So much is the power of Cinema that today even stage actors aspire to be Bollywood actors where acting doesn’t matter much but the star value on pulling cheap crowds for expensive productions which mostly again goes unto star fees. “
Shimla– This clip of the the Singhtu dance, a captivating and popular folk tradition from Himachal Pradesh’s Sirmaur district, was captured at the Seepur Mela held in Mashobra recently.
It is a cherished jewel in the state’s rich and diverse cultural mosaic. This mesmerizing performance, steeped in ancient traditions, enjoys immense popularity, enchanting audiences on both local and international stages. In the Sirmauri dialect, “Singhtu” refers to a lion cub, and in Hindu mythology, the lion is revered as the sacred vehicle of Goddess Durga, lending profound spiritual significance to the dance.
Performed exclusively twice a year during Diwali and Ekadashi, the Singhtu dance is a ritualistic offering at temples and sacred sites, where it has been presented since time immemorial.
Performers don intricately crafted masks depicting animals such as lions, bears, leopards, and mythical forest beings, which are brought out from temples only for these occasions.
These masks, combined with the dancers’ rhythmic movements, vividly evoke Sirmaur’s ancient culture, transporting spectators to a bygone era while celebrating the region’s deep connection to nature.
Himachal Pradesh is a vibrant tapestry of unique traditions, with each district showcasing distinct folk dances, music, and rituals that reflect the state’s multifaceted heritage.
The Singhtu dance, blending spirituality, artistry, and environmental consciousness, stands as a powerful testament to this diversity. Beyond its aesthetic allure, it conveys a timely message of wildlife conservation and environmental preservation, resonating with global concerns.
Art & Culture
Use Offerings Made at Himachal’s Hindu Religious Institutions Only For Hindus, Employ Only Hindus: HP Govt
Shimla-The Additional Chief Secretary of the Himachal Pradesh Language, Art & Culture Department has issued a notification barring the use of offerings made at the Hindu religious places or institutions for non-Hindu Communities.
Directions in this regard have been issued to Commissioners (temple) under Section 27 of the Himachal Pradesh Hindu Public Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Act, 1984.
“All the receipts or offerings including gold and silver of the Hindu Public Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments shall be used only for the purposes pertaining to the welfare and other activities relating to only Hindus. No receipts or offerings shall be used for the purposes associated with activities relating to Non-Hindus,” the notification said.
Further, now, no non-Hindu person would be given any sort of employment at the Hindu religious institutions/places.
“All the officers and officials including the personnel related to security etc. whether appointed or deputed or taken on outsourcing basis shall be out of the persons professing the Hindu religion only,” the notification said.
No further clarification was provided regarding the intended purpose of this move.
Art & Culture
Kullu Dussehra 2021: All Religious Ceremonies to be Allowed, But No Commercial and Cultural Events
Shimla-The International Kullu Dussehra would be organised from 15th October to 21st October, 2021, the Himachal Pradesh Government informed today after holding a meeting regarding the same.
The HP Government has decided that all deities would be invited for the Dussehra festival. Orgnaization of all religious ceremonies would be allowed traditionally, but the cultural and commercial activities would not be held.
Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur presided over meeting of State Level Kullu Dussehra Committee. Directions were given to ensure proper security system, uninterrupted electricity supply and adherence of Covid-19 guidelines.
It was also decided in the meeting that Language, Art and Culture Department would provide an additional amount of Rs. 10 lakh to district administration Kullu for organising Kullu Dussehra festival.
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